|
Red, white and blue
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Center Park turns into a virtual sea of American flags | ||||
The green field at Town Center Park turned red, white and blue over the weekend as veterans raised 500 flags as part of the Field of Honor traveling memorial.
|
"I created it to honor those who serve and make sure their service will never be forgotten," Neuman said.
Oregon is home to more than 350,000 veterans, according to the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).
Thousands of Oregonians are currently serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere throughout the world.
The Field of Honor usually contains 1,000 flags, but Town Center Park could only hold half. It has already been to nine different locations throughout the state. It is available to any community in the state at no charge.
"I get honored for my service and I honor those who are now serving," said veteran John O'Neill as he placed a flag into the ground.
The installation took volunteers two days to erect. It stayed open to the public through Monday.
"I volunteer to show my support and gratitude to the veterans, who are the defenders of our liberty, and to show support for the military right now in Iraq," said Joshua Walker, whose father was in the military.
Many of the flag poles in the Field of Honor contain bronze plates with the names of veterans who have honorably served in the armed forces.
They are arranged in rows with a walkway between them so visitors can pass by every flag in the field and reflect on all veterans' service and sacrifice, Neuman said.
Anyone can get a veteran's name added to a Field of Honor flag for a one-time charge of $50, which covers replacement costs for the flags.
Veterans of Oregon purchases a flag for Oregon service members killed in action, Neuman said.
On Friday night, a candlelight vigil was held at the Korean War Memorial with the naming of all 99 Oregonians killed in action in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It is an emotional time for most veterans," O'Neill said. "You get this chill through you. You remember what it was like over there and what it took to survive."
He added: "We dedicate this to those who didn't make it back."
On Sunday, the annual Veterans' Memorial Convoy rolled into Wilsonville after traveling the full length of the Veterans' Memorial Highway (I-205).
"Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best we can give them, said Jim Willis, the director of ODVA. "These men and women have pledged their lives to protect our Nation's security, creating a debt that we can never fully repay."
There will be many Veteran Day activities this coming Sunday and Monday:
• Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Korean War Veterans Association Oregon Trail Chapter will be on site, at the Korean War Memorial at Town Center Park, to answer questions and be of service during daylight hours
• Sunday, Nov. 11 at 9:45 a.m. – 33rd Annual Veterans Day Parade in the Hollywood District of Downtown Portland between N.E. 40th and 48th avenues and Sandy Blvd.
• Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. – A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial located on the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs grounds at 700 Summer Street N.E. in Salem.
